careernav.

Intelligence is a wonderful quality. Debate continues on whether there is such a factor as ‘general intelligence’ or is ‘specific intelligence’ more realistic.

People are seldom good at all activities but usually excel in a smaller range of activities. Were they born like that or were they were taught? Do they think a particular way or was it the only way they knew?

People who are ‘Creative Thinkers’ have a fantastic range of career opportunities available to them and are often the envy of society. Their efforts will frequently deliver high achievement, immense personal satisfaction, reward and recognition, not to mention bucket loads of money if their design in ground breaking.

If this includes you, then some great careers available include;

• Architect
• Any of the Design Careers – fashion, interior, creative, landscape gardener
• Creative  advertising
• Writer or copywriter
• Film or Television Director
• Photographer

Creativity can be about words or pictures, about scenes or artistry, it could be telling a story, nurturing a design or combinations of the above. Creative thinkers enjoy freedom, unstructured environments and the chance to freewheel to wherever their creative mind takes them.  In the artistic world the above careers would thrive. In the commercial world creative thinking centres more on innovation, new products or services and new systems and procedures. Some of the factors that stifle creative thinking include criticism, too many constraints, time pressures, budget funds and personal stress.

If your career depends on your creative thinking, the management style of your immediate boss is important you understand. If they don’t cut you some slack, manage to tight and continually place demands on you, you’re likely to left your best behind. So you need to stand up and ask about their management style. And tell them the management style you best respond too and what style will get the best quality of work from you.

When going for a job the company’s environment will also be important to your decision. At interview ask for words that best describe the company’s environment, look to see if  staff are wearing casual or suits, seek out indicators of formality, check out the structures such as  offices verses open plan, formal meeting rooms verses round tables and workstations.

Creative thinking is a gift – make sure you use every inch of it to deliver a rewarding career for yourself. Oh and don’t confuse creative thinking with lateral thinking, or thinking outside the square. This is for problem solving and the last thing creative thinkers need is heavy problems.

Why not share your comments with us...